Bulgarians rebel against the system

Demonstrations against high electricity prices in Bulgaria have turned into mass protests against the system. Faced with mounting unrest, Prime Minister Boiko Borisov and his cabinet have resigned. Will a new government break the cycle of poverty and corruption?

The anti-government protests that began in June in Bulgaria are now coming to an end, the pro-government daily Duma writes: » more

The anti-government protests that began in June in Bulgaria are now coming to an end, the pro-government daily Duma writes: "The protesters don't want genuine dialogue. They haven't come up with any solutions for the problems tormenting our society or said what will happen if the cabinet resigns. The nameless protesters wanted everything but didn't give anything. They wanted a democracy tailored to their own ideas. They wanted the destruction of authorities and institutions and ignored the citizens who elected the government. They've done a lot of shouting and organised lots of events, but now they're running out of steam. ... The summer is over and it will be more difficult to get people onto the streets. With the first autumn leaves falling from the trees, the protests too are coming to an end."

The early parliamentary elections in Bulgaria on May 12 promise to be the most interesting and at the same time the most pointless elections in the past 20 years, the daily Sega writes: » more

The early parliamentary elections in Bulgaria on May 12 promise to be the most interesting and at the same time the most pointless elections in the past 20 years, the daily Sega writes: "These elections are paradoxical because the high electricity costs that brought the people out on the street will no doubt go on rising once the elections are over. Almost all of the political parties are to blame for this, although they are now presenting themselves as a solution to the problems they themselves have created in the last few years. Bulgaria's political system is completely de-legitimised, and many social groups no longer feel represented. This was the real reason for the civil protests [in February and March], which one can expect will continue - and even grow in force - after the elections."

Polls conducted in Bulgaria give former ruling party Gerb led by Boiko Borisov a lead of up to 14 percent in the upcoming elections on May 12. This indicates that the protests that led to Borisov stepping down didn't reflect the true mood in the country, the daily Sega concludes: » more

Polls conducted in Bulgaria give former ruling party Gerb led by Boiko Borisov a lead of up to 14 percent in the upcoming elections on May 12. This indicates that the protests that led to Borisov stepping down didn't reflect the true mood in the country, the daily Sega concludes: "The situation is confusing, but this isn't only the fault of the weak opposition or an alleged conspiracy by the opinion research institutes that testify to Gerb's rising popularity. The explanation lies in a well-known but often neglected characteristic of revolutions. They don't always reflect the mood of society as a whole. … It is the active minority that protests, and thus makes its mark, but doesn't necessarily have much of a quantitative clout in society."

Following the mass protests in Bulgaria, 100,000 needy people will receive financial assistance from the state even before early elections are held in May. The transitional government approved a social package worth roughly 20 million euros on Wednesday. Once again that means handing out aid to all and sundry, the daily Sega writes: » more

Following the mass protests in Bulgaria, 100,000 needy people will receive financial assistance from the state even before early elections are held in May. The transitional government approved a social package worth roughly 20 million euros on Wednesday. Once again that means handing out aid to all and sundry, the daily Sega writes: "The transitional government does not have the possibility to change laws to make state welfare more effective. Even regular governments haven't been able to pass more than well-meant concepts, strategies and plans in the past. The plan [by the former government] was to give the needy individualised aid packages granting them access to precisely the social services they needed. Instead roughly a billion leva [around 500 million euros] in welfare benefits are tossed out the window each year. At the very least, the transitional government should have identified the poorest of the poor to provide them with additional support instead of distributing alms to everyone, even if it reaches more people that way."

Bulgaria's transitional government has reacted to widespread social protests in the country among other things by increasing the minimum pension by around 2.50 euros per month. More than 300,000 pensioners can rejoice to see their monthly income go up from 72.50 euros to 75 euros, the daily 24 Chasa writes tongue in cheek: » more

Bulgaria's transitional government has reacted to widespread social protests in the country among other things by increasing the minimum pension by around 2.50 euros per month. More than 300,000 pensioners can rejoice to see their monthly income go up from 72.50 euros to 75 euros, the daily 24 Chasa writes tongue in cheek: "The sum is ridiculous - even for the civil servants of the social security offices, who are used to counting every cent. To pre-empt criticism that they are mocking the poorest of the poor, the experts explain that this is the second round of a gradual increase that was already begun last year - with a rise from 136 to 145 leva [around 70 to 75 euros]. ... But how can it be that the social security pension is still below the official poverty line of 241 leva?! And far below the real cost of living per family member in Bulgaria, which is 565 leva?"

Spanish Europe expert José Ignacio Torreblanca travelled to Sofia to participate in a conference on the economic crisis in Europe. He notes in his blog with the left-liberal daily El País that he was surprised to find Bulgaria discussing the same problems as Spain: » more

Spanish Europe expert José Ignacio Torreblanca travelled to Sofia to participate in a conference on the economic crisis in Europe. He notes in his blog with the left-liberal daily El País that he was surprised to find Bulgaria discussing the same problems as Spain: "The first thing that strikes you is that Europe is so immersed in the crisis that [here in Bulgaria] almost as soon as you step off the plane you can start a debate with the politicians of the two leading political forces. … And even though you don't know much about their country you can still understand everything they say. The parallels in the debates are astounding: austerity, growth, a crisis of democracy, Europe's role, Germany's role, populism. We may not have a European 'demos', but apparently the Europeans are all talking about the same issues. That's a start. … The example of Bulgaria shows us that austerity is not enough to provoke a popular uprising. Austerity is a powder keg, but the sparks that cause it to explode are the lack of politicians setting a good example and the perception of corruption."

The number of self-immolations on public squares in Bulgaria has risen to six since the start of the mass protests, and 131 people have committed suicide in Sofia alone. The social state must take urgent action, the daily Monitor demands: » more

The number of self-immolations on public squares in Bulgaria has risen to six since the start of the mass protests, and 131 people have committed suicide in Sofia alone. The social state must take urgent action, the daily Monitor demands: "The tragic suicides, self-immolations and acts of aggression we have witnessed recently reveal the weaknesses in our society: the poor, the retired and all those who no longer have any prospects. In their despair they seek a way out. 'Look here, I'm burning!' is their paradoxical cry for help to society. ... These people must be given new perspectives as quickly as possible. The state must come to the aid of those who depend on it - the poor and the weak, the unemployed and the families with many children - as Western Europe has done for so long."

Almost a week after the establishment of an interim Bulgarian government, hundreds of demonstrators have once again taken to the streets in protest, among other things over high energy prices. The social protests in Bulgaria are becoming increasingly chaotic, the daily Sega complains, calling for an intellectual spearhead to the protest movement: » more

Almost a week after the establishment of an interim Bulgarian government, hundreds of demonstrators have once again taken to the streets in protest, among other things over high energy prices. The social protests in Bulgaria are becoming increasingly chaotic, the daily Sega complains, calling for an intellectual spearhead to the protest movement: "The streets are full, people are manning the barricades and calling for social change - here and now. However 90 percent of their solutions are downright laughable, and the leaders they delegate are nothing less than an insult. Who should the people believe today? Who can show them how to achieve their goals, if not moral authorities? There are enough worthy, honourable and admirable intellectuals who could lead the protests. Perhaps however many of them prefer isolation, because they're nauseated by life in Bulgaria. Others, by contrast, can't manage to attract the attention of the media. Ultimately good ideas must be able to assert themselves, and for that they need elites. ... But that's exactly what's missing in Bulgaria at the moment, and that's our biggest problem."

Three weeks after the mass protests in Bulgaria, a transitional government has taken over the daily running of the state. However it's not an independent caretaker government but a sham, the web portal e-vestnik writes, because the new Prime Minister Marin Rajkov and three other ministers belonged to Boiko Borisov's former cabinet: » more

Three weeks after the mass protests in Bulgaria, a transitional government has taken over the daily running of the state. However it's not an independent caretaker government but a sham, the web portal e-vestnik writes, because the new Prime Minister Marin Rajkov and three other ministers belonged to Boiko Borisov's former cabinet: "The transitional government has the task of sweeping Borisov's embarrassments under the table and making sure his party Gerb does well in the early elections. These May elections will most likely have a similar outcome to the last elections in Greece, where a governing majority failed to materialise. Then new elections will have to be held in August or September. By then Borisov's people will have had six whole months to prepare the ground for his return."

The protests in Bulgaria continue unabated even after the resignation of Boiko Borisov's government. Psychologist Hristo Monov states in the daily Standart that interest groups have been able to turn the hitherto disorganised unrest to their own advantage: » more

The protests in Bulgaria continue unabated even after the resignation of Boiko Borisov's government. Psychologist Hristo Monov states in the daily Standart that interest groups have been able to turn the hitherto disorganised unrest to their own advantage: "The protests came far too late in comparison to other countries where the people are used to defending their interests. That's not part of our culture. In the time-honoured Bulgarian tradition, we prefer to wait until things become absolutely unbearable. ... Now however the protests won't stop although the key demand of the protesters - the resignation of the government - has long been fulfilled. Borisov's government was a ghastly neo-liberal experiment, and any nation able to fend for itself would have chased it out of office after just six months. What we're seeing now is the bursting of a dam that will flood the entire country. It will take a while for the flood waters to ebb, and certain political groups will no doubt use the time to fish in them."

Bulgaria's catastrophic economic situation is above all due to long years of cracking down on small and mid-sized enterprises by the Borisov government and corruption in granting public tenders, the blogger Ivan Bedrov writes: » more

Bulgaria's catastrophic economic situation is above all due to long years of cracking down on small and mid-sized enterprises by the Borisov government and corruption in granting public tenders, the blogger Ivan Bedrov writes: "Bulgaria's small and medium enterprises are highly dependent on the state. Public tenders are the only fresh source of income in the country, and they are for the most part allocated under the table. Even the National Audit Office has officially confirmed this. If you want to do business here, you have to call a certain civil servant, hand over part of the money, commission a specific subcontractor, etc. And if you have the courage to buck the trend, talk about it publicly or even take legal action, you'll be put under such pressure by the tax office and the police that bankruptcy is about the best thing that can happen to you. The government had no scruples about turning the state apparatus against anyone who didn't play by its rules and dared to stand in the way of its beloved monopoly enterprises."

In Bulgaria a man attempted to self-immolate outside the city hall in the southern Bulgarian town of Radnevo on Tuesday, but was saved. This is the third case of self-immolation in the past ten days, which have been marked by massive anti-government protests. The daily Standart warns: » more

In Bulgaria a man attempted to self-immolate outside the city hall in the southern Bulgarian town of Radnevo on Tuesday, but was saved. This is the third case of self-immolation in the past ten days, which have been marked by massive anti-government protests. The daily Standart warns: "Self-immolation is the last attempt by someone who has lost all faith and hope to express the desperation and senselessness of his life in a dramatic gesture. ... But behind the choice of such a spectacular death there is more than just the hopelessness and despair which characterises the lives of many Bulgarians. Self-immolation is a rebellion before God, a challenge, to show that our life is not just unbearable, but has become an incurable wound that must be amputated. A message that the state cannot just ignore without turning into a powder keg. Because any one of us could be the fuse."

Since the resignation of the Bulgarian Prime Minister Boiko Borisov, the television station TV7 and other media that supported the government until very recently have done a U-turn in their reporting, the opposition daily Duma observes: » more

Since the resignation of the Bulgarian Prime Minister Boiko Borisov, the television station TV7 and other media that supported the government until very recently have done a U-turn in their reporting, the opposition daily Duma observes: "Without the slightest warning, Borisov's media flagship has suddenly changed direction completely. ... Even Borisov's most fervent lickspittels are now acting as if they were his fiercest opponents. And the TV screens now show for the most part the 'faces of the people', the 'civil society' and protesters. What happened? Last week everyone was happy with the government. They loved Borisov and [his party] Gerb. Now they seem to have woken from hibernation. ... That's what paid love is like. It soon vanishes once the money tap runs dry. Now it's time for others to take the helm. Well, don't forget the money bags!"

The resignation of the Bulgarian government following massive protests against high electricity prices and Prime Minister Boiko Borisov has improved Bulgaria's image abroad, writes columnist Miha Jenko in the left-liberal daily Delo: » more

The resignation of the Bulgarian government following massive protests against high electricity prices and Prime Minister Boiko Borisov has improved Bulgaria's image abroad, writes columnist Miha Jenko in the left-liberal daily Delo: "With the manner of his resignation and above all his explanation for it Borisov has proven that he is a great politician and European democrat. His words about giving the people back the power they had conferred on him and about the worthlessness of a political leadership and a parliament that surrounds itself with an iron fence to protect itself from its own people made the headlines in all the media last week. Not just in my eyes but undoubtedly in the eyes of the European community too, he has gained in stature and boosted Bulgaria's political standing. ... Borisov is certainly a role model for a good few people - and for us too."

Even after the resignation of the conservative government under Boiko Borisov, tens of thousands of Bulgarians protested on Sunday. Their demands include the nationalisation of the energy companies, a greater say in the political process and a new constitution. Pie-in-the-sky demands that are typical of the Bulgarian mentality, the economist Emil Harsev writes in the daily Sega: » more

Even after the resignation of the conservative government under Boiko Borisov, tens of thousands of Bulgarians protested on Sunday. Their demands include the nationalisation of the energy companies, a greater say in the political process and a new constitution. Pie-in-the-sky demands that are typical of the Bulgarian mentality, the economist Emil Harsev writes in the daily Sega: "Taken together, the protesters' chaotic demands revive an old chimera of the 1990s - the desire for a Hollywood-type miracle that will give us a better, happier and more prosperous life overnight. In the past it was with just such silly dreams that the people created idols, heaved them into power like divinities and expected miracles from them, only to hate, curse and bring them down them later. ... The myth of the saviour of the nation was created in the 1990s, which were marked by poverty and despair. And it's been with us ever since. My fear is that the Bulgarians need their hallucinations to be able to come to terms with reality. So let's sit back and wait for the next miracle."

Bulgaria is in a state of political shock after the resignation of Boiko Borisov's government on Wednesday, and neither the people nor the opposition have a concept for the future, political scientist Dimitar Avramov writes in the daily 24 Chasa: » more

Bulgaria is in a state of political shock after the resignation of Boiko Borisov's government on Wednesday, and neither the people nor the opposition have a concept for the future, political scientist Dimitar Avramov writes in the daily 24 Chasa: "At the moment I can't see a single rationally-minded leader who's in a position to pull Bulgaria out of its current mess. To my great regret, this also holds for the Socialist opposition, which is now rubbing its hands in the belief that power will just fall into its lap. Think again! ... Because the protesters have made a very important statement: 'We don't know how to govern or exactly what we want, but we've definitely had enough of you!' That is a clear message to all the politicians who have led Bulgaria into economic ruin and put key sectors like the energy market into the hands of monopolists."

Borisov's lust for power sealed his fate, the daily Dnevnik writes: » more

Borisov's lust for power sealed his fate, the daily Dnevnik writes: "Borisov put the presidency, the judiciary, the media and the economy under his personal control, and in so doing thought he had all state power in his hands. From the outside, that made him look like a sort of colossus, but in truth it only weakened him. ... When the people withdrew their trust in him, he immediately collapsed. The state failed to maintain order as it should do because he had stripped it of its power. And while Borisov still believed the power was in his hands, it suddenly turned up somewhere else: among the people. ... Powerless, Boiko Borisov has shown himself to be exactly what he is: a limited human being, insecure but pompous, fearful but brash, uneducated but somehow likeable. In former times these qualities made him look like a hero. Now they only work to his disadvantage."

With the resignation of his government Prime Minister Boiko Borisov is hoping he will win the next elections, the left-liberal daily Der Standard comments: » more

With the resignation of his government Prime Minister Boiko Borisov is hoping he will win the next elections, the left-liberal daily Der Standard comments: "Some people are talking about a 'Bulgarian Spring', as if this were all about toppling a dictator and his corrupt family who've held power in Sofia for decades and finally bringing democracy to the country. But most of the protesters want nothing to do with such an idea. They seem to be clearly delimiting their call for more social justice. Because the coalition led by the Socialists, which went down in the maelstrom of embezzled EU funds in 2009 is a bad memory for Bulgarians, as the polls have shown. Borisov may also have a plan: tossing in the towel at the height of the social crisis and then coming back in style. Bulgarian doesn't have statesmen, it's got gamblers."

Social protests like those in Bulgaria could well spread to other EU countries if the pressure from the streets goes unheeded, the liberal-conservative daily Adevărul cautions: » more

Social protests like those in Bulgaria could well spread to other EU countries if the pressure from the streets goes unheeded, the liberal-conservative daily Adevărul cautions: "These events clearly show how unsuitable some economic programmes proposed by the troika for the crisis-stricken countries of Eastern Europe have been. No one has wanted to face up to the fact that too many - and too harsh - austerity measures can constitute the biggest obstacle to economic development. The national and European decision makers must understand how important it is not only that the money from the structural funds continues to be paid out with the new 2014-2020 EU budget, but also that the procedures are simplified to give countries easier access to these funds. Failing that, the danger that events like those in Bulgaria will spill over into other countries will only grow. And that will lead to the loss of investor trust, destroying what we've accomplished so far on our European path."

The Czech Republic is indirectly involved in Bulgaria's government crisis since the protests of tens of thousands of Bulgarians are also directed against the price policy of the Prague energy group ČEZ. But for the liberal daily Hospodářské noviny widespread corruption is the real root of the crisis: » more

The Czech Republic is indirectly involved in Bulgaria's government crisis since the protests of tens of thousands of Bulgarians are also directed against the price policy of the Prague energy group ČEZ. But for the liberal daily Hospodářské noviny widespread corruption is the real root of the crisis: "After four years in office the government can boast a few victories, but it didn't solve the main problem, namely rampant corruption. Corruption is the reason why so few foreign investors come here, why growth is so minimal and the country still isn't part of the Schengen zone. Together with Romania the country is still under the guardianship of the EU. … The control mechanism from Brussels was originally introduced for five years. But last year an extension was already agreed. The latest EU Commission assessment from last July wasn't exactly encouraging. It testified to Bulgaria having a unique level of organised crime in the EU, which has a major influence on the entire Bulgarian economy."

After several days of mass protests, the Bulgarian Finance Minister Simeon Djankov resigned on Monday. Demonstrations have been going on for months in Slovenia, and according to the most recent monthly polls put out by the left-liberal daily Delo, only 14.4 percent of respondents support the government. Nevertheless there's no sign of anyone resigning. For the daily this is indefensible: » more

After several days of mass protests, the Bulgarian Finance Minister Simeon Djankov resigned on Monday. Demonstrations have been going on for months in Slovenia, and according to the most recent monthly polls put out by the left-liberal daily Delo, only 14.4 percent of respondents support the government. Nevertheless there's no sign of anyone resigning. For the daily this is indefensible: "According to news agency reports today [Monday], Bulgaria's Prime Minister Boyko Borisov announced he would reshuffle the cabinet just a day after a protest by tens of thousands of dissatisfied Bulgarians who accuse the government of corruption and monopolism [on the energy market]. The government of this poorest of the EU countries is just as unpopular as our own. But one thing is clear: the Bulgarian leader is far more sensitive to the opinion of the Bulgarian voters than our government is to the concerns of Slovenians. Bulgaria's voters at least elected politicians who govern, and who are ready to take their responsibilities somewhat seriously."

The Bulgarian Finance Minister Simeon Djankov stepped down on Monday in response to the continuing protests against rising electricity prices and Boyko Borisov's government. A desperate last-minute attempt on the part of a government on its way out, the newspaper Kapital Daily comments: » more

The Bulgarian Finance Minister Simeon Djankov stepped down on Monday in response to the continuing protests against rising electricity prices and Boyko Borisov's government. A desperate last-minute attempt on the part of a government on its way out, the newspaper Kapital Daily comments: "If I dismiss the finance minister, the entire government will fall', Borisov said back in 2010. ... Now he's doing it anyway, although he's well aware of the consequences. Clearly the fear of the protesters under his window was greater than his political reasoning powers. Nevertheless this blood-letting is no more than a futile attempt to appease the popular anger. Because for a long time now this anger has been directed at far more than just the high electricity prices. The people are protesting against the general decline of the state, the lack of rules and the sense of hopelessness. A host of problems that can by no means be solved by the finance minister's resignation."

Almost 100,000 Bulgarians protested on Sunday against rising electricity prices, and in Sofia it came to clashes between demonstrators and the police. But the high electricity bills were just the last straw, the daily Trud writes: » more

Almost 100,000 Bulgarians protested on Sunday against rising electricity prices, and in Sofia it came to clashes between demonstrators and the police. But the high electricity bills were just the last straw, the daily Trud writes: "The people are angry. They are taking to the streets and not just because of the high electricity prices. The highly charged emotions are aimed in all directions: against the electricity monopolists, the mayor of Varna and his entourage, the current government, its predecessors and against everyone who wants to obtain a position of power. People are desperately impoverished and can see that financial stability and motorways won't fill their stomachs. Hunger and poverty run through the unjust and criminal transformation like a thread. Consequently the protests are directed against the entire political system in the country."

Tens of thousands of people gathered on the weekend in Bulgaria to protest against the high electricity prices. They set two company cars belonging to the Austrian energy supplier EVN on fire and threw snowballs at Economics Minister Deljan Dobrev. These are signs of utter desperation, the daily Standart writes: » more

Tens of thousands of people gathered on the weekend in Bulgaria to protest against the high electricity prices. They set two company cars belonging to the Austrian energy supplier EVN on fire and threw snowballs at Economics Minister Deljan Dobrev. These are signs of utter desperation, the daily Standart writes: "Unlike with the sporadic protests staged so far in which the people expressed their frustration over the electricity rates and called for reforms, this time hungry and completely desperate people are taking to the streets. They are angry. In the middle of the winter, with heating costs already spiralling, they are now facing shockingly high electricity bills. Many of them, particularly the retired, can't even cover their heating bills with their pensions, never mind the electricity bills. ... The Ministry of Finances should take action as quickly as possible and if necessary raise the budget deficit before the whole country is paralysed by hunger protests."